Rails to Trails

Bull Run Lake Trailhead (Rose Lake) to Enaville Trailhead (The Snake Pit). Approximately 28 miles of fun! (14 miles both ways.) We spent the night at Sherry and Joe's in St. Maries so that we didn't have to make a three hour trip BEFORE getting on the bikes Saturday morning.

Okay mom and dad. I'm ready to go. Get in and buckle up.



Is this how I shift? (Note the cell phone in the left hand...)



Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve came along.



Daddy and Etta waiting to hit the trail.



At the midway point, just before lunch. Phew! Get me out of here for a few minutes!



So this is what the scenery actually looks like.



Mommy and Sherry coming down the final stretch. Grandma and Grandpa in the back ground.



The Snake Pit for lunch. YES!



WaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIceWaterIce. It was hot.



Headed back after lunch.



A couple of scenery shots. It was gorgeous!





Following the trailer. I took this pic from my bike. Harder than taking one while driving, let me tell you. [Note: Cathy saw a lady texting on her bike. Thank goodness she was the back seat passenger on a tandem.]



Front view of the trailer. No, I was not on my bike at this time.



Group shot.



My turn on the big bike!



Dave Smith's waterfall.



Dave Smith's house. You know. Dave Smith. One of the biggest (if not BIGGEST!) car dealer in the Pacific Northwest. Who would of thought that we would have ridden right by his house? Right by the trailhead?

Sneak peek

On Saturday we will be riding on the Rails to Trails trail out of Coeur d'Alene. Here's a sneak peek of pics to come...



Yep, Etta is in there.

The Long and Winding Road

On Monday we hit the road for the long ride home. All 490 miles of it in one day. I was a little nervous how Etta would do because she was kind of restless on Thursday and Friday when we made the drive over. In two days. Two much shorter days.

Hangin' mostly naked while mommy gets stuff ready to go.



We got on the road at about 9:30 MST (8:30 PST). Testing out the time lapse on the camera. I forgot the tripod attachment so of course the camera focused on the tiny sliver of car it was set on...



Very windy and brisk - therefor quick - stop at the top of Roger's Pass



Our own pic on the carving at High Country



Touch the beard - like on Gramps!



And after worrying so much, this is how she spent most of the trip. Didn't even empty her toy bag every. single. time. that I filled it.



We stopped in St. Maries for a nice long break and Etta got to meet her...let's see...second cousin two times removed?...Tomas. This was about the extent of their interactive play.



I looked back at one point (after the long stop) and this is what I saw:



Just chillin' with her legs crossed. We are VERY blessed that she is such a good car rider. At this point we had been on the road for about 11 hours. Note the big smile that she is still sporting.

And these last two are a couple of pictures of the beautiful sunset/dusk that we got to witness when we got to Deary and turned South. God's creation is beautiful!





[Note: Yes, I did take the pictures while I was driving down the road.

Note #2: I don't text while I'm driving.

Note #3: I lucked out with the pictures of her. Just aimed without looking and got lucky not once but twice!]

Lazy Day Sunday

After the very hectic and fast paced Saturday we took a different approach to Sunday. Etta was asleep around 8:00 Saturday night and slept until 8:00 Sunday morning. After she got up she snuggled with Montana Grandma.



After breakfast she then napped from 10:30-1:30. Then shared snuggles with Gramps.



Next, a late lunch.



Then it was off in the pick up for adventures with Gramps. She got a little bored in the truck. Thankfully Montana Grandma had some bling she could put on.



Then we were waiting for Gramps to open a gate. Took the chance to get out, stretch our legs and learn about some of the native species.



Finished up with a visit to a wind tower. It was VERY tall. Gramps said 80 meters. You do the math.





Proof that we were actually there.



After the big drive she slept from 4:15-6:00! We then went and picked corn from a neighbor's garden, had dinner, visited another neighbor and then bed around 9:30. Busy times for a little girl.

Busy Saturday

Montana Grandma, Etta and I went to Great Falls this morning for the Farmer's Market and "Geesey Pond". At the Farmer's Market Etta got to ride on a pony! Unfortunately, I had not gotten my new memory card for my camera (the reason that this is the first post in so long...) so I don't have any pics. Mom got a few and I will try to get one up later. She really enjoyed the ride and looked like a regular little cowgirl!

Next off to the Geesey Pond. That would be Gibson Park for those of you who may know the difference. When I was younger we used to always take our lunch over to enjoy the shade, geese, ducks and seagulls. I wanted to share this experience with Etta. We decided not to eat right by the pond so she wouldn't be distracted. But wouldn't you know...

Tired girl already.



This is what she was watching in the previous picture.



Trying to catch the seagulls!





Next, off to the pond. This little boy was teaching Etta how to throw bread to the birds.



And then a little girl gave us a piece of bread to throw to the ducks. At one point Etta had a chunk of bread. She had it in her hand, put her hand back to throw, brought it forward to throw, noticed what was in her hand and popped it in her mouth! Pretty cute.



Then of course, it was time to chase the geese.





She was pretty brave and got quite close.



Then we drove across town and mom needed to stop at Walmart to drop off some film. We stayed in the car (with the air running of course) because...



After a long nap on the drive home she got a second wind. Helping Gramps shuck the corn.



Exploring MT Grandma's stuff outside.





Help me up, Gramps.



Thanks! Like my outfit? Diaper, dirt shoes and a pink necklace. Sweet!!